Skip to main content

Dinner Bells and Wild Horses at Cumberland Island’s Greyfield Inn

[ad align=”left”]When we think of escaping to a remote island, Bora Bora or Vanuatu comes to mind. Rather far to travel for most of us. Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia isn’t quite as far but exudes quiet, mystery and incredible nature all a short flight or drive away.

greyfield_mg_1256
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The southernmost coastal island on Georgia’s Golden Isles, Cumberland is only accessible via ferry from Fernandina Beach, Florida (three times a day) and the nearest airport is Jacksonville, Florida.

greyfield-beekeeper-ryan-graycheck-lyric-lewin
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While we have visited for a day trip, guests must bring their own food, and it’s simply too majestic to soak it all in on a day visit. While there is a campsite, the Greyfield Inn is where you really want to splash out and rest your head.

drink
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Greyfield Inn is a historic mansion on the island and was the 19th century retreat of Thomas and Lucy Carnegie (the ballers of the Belle Époque). They built the house in 1890 for their daughter Margaret, then her daughter, Lucy, converted it to an inn in 1962. The family still oversees the daily operations of the inn and its 16 rooms in the house, as well as the cottages nestled under live oaks on the property.

pfe_2577
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While the house is grand, the island is wild. It is run by the National Parks Service and is home to over 9,800 acres of Congressionally designated wilderness. There are also a plethora of wild horses on the island. While nobody is sure how they got there (they aren’t native), they lend an eccentric touch to the Southern Gothic feel of this island.

pfe_2593
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Explore maritime forests, kayak around the 18 miles of undeveloped beaches and take a 30 mile tour around the rough roads and fascinating forests. As a guest of the inn you will have access to bicycles, fishing rods, naturalist- led guided tours of the island and Natural History Jeep Tours. Be sure to check out the cultural heritage as well including the First African Baptist Church, Plum Orchard Mansion, and Cumberland Island Wharf.

photo-by-peter-frank-edwards-2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A proper belt busting Southern breakfast is offered up every morning, while a grab-in-go picnic basket from the back kitchen is offered for lunch. A dinner bell signals the start to a three-course dinner. The culinary program is led by their Top Chef alum, Whitney Otawka. All meals are made from scratch and seek to define and refine coastal Georgia cuisine. This 1.5-acre organic garden supplies the inn with a variety of fresh produce, herbs, fruit, and cut flowers. Gardeners use sustainable and organic growing practices, composting, cover cropping, and crop rotation to replenish and build its soils. Greyfield produces its own honey from the garden’s 20-plus beehives.

Recommended Videos

One of our favorite offers at Greyfield is that they encourage guests to make their own cocktails at any time. They have provided a cornucopia of requisite tools and cocktail manuals. The ever-growing beer menu represents both international styles and craft brews from Georgia and beyond. Spirit offerings focus mainly on bourbons, alongside an artisanal rum collection and craft spirits from small distilleries including gins, vodkas, and tequilas. Steady on gents!

These digs are very popular so be sure to plan this vacation well in advance. But once you do, get ready for lounging on porches, 300 year old live oaks wherever you turn, and the most exciting sound of the day, the dinner bell.

Editors Note:

  • From December 2-4, Greyfield will host a weekend-long WinterHog Roast. Events include a Friday night oyster roast, BBQ dinner, and dancing to benefit the Southern Foodways Alliance, storytelling groups around the campfire, distillery tastings, and more.
  • Greyfield is rolling out a “Mid-Week Break” package, offering travelers discounted stays during the fall and winter months. Email them for more info.
Cator Sparks
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
These two U.S. airports rank among the world’s most beautiful
Main Terminal, PDX

While air travel focuses on covering long distances quickly, a beautiful airport can elevate the experience. Plain, concrete terminals can feel drab and boring, and only add to the strain of long travel days. However, open spaces inspired by nature can feel like a resort, helping you recharge and explore before your connection.

Recently, the Prix Versailles — a series of architectural competitions — released its list of “The Most Beautiful Airports in the World”, and two U.S. airports were among the winners. Here’s why.

Read more
Ritz-Carlton’s new yacht Luminara offers luxury cruises and top-tier dining
Enjoy all of your favorite Ritz-Carlton amenities at sea
Luminara

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection just set sail on its newest and largest ship yet. Departing from Monte Carlo, yesterday, July 3, Luminara marks the third ship in the brand’s growing fleet.

With 226 spacious suites, each featuring private terraces, Luminara was designed for travelers who want the intimacy of a yacht with the comfort and amenities of a high-end resort. But what truly sets this ship apart is where it’s headed. Luminara will be the first in the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection to explore destinations in Asia, Alaska, and Canada, opening new routes for the brand’s loyal cruisers.

Read more
Where you vacation could raise your skin cancer risk, says new study
New study reveals alarming sunscreen truths
Palm Beach, Florida

Most of us assume everyone knows the importance of protecting our skin from harmful UV rays, yet a new study suggests awareness campaigns aren't doing enough to protect Americans. A recently published study revealed a dangerous gap between what people know about sunscreen and how they use it, putting millions of Americans at an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Furthermore, the study found that specific beach destinations may have higher skin-damaging UV doses than others, indicating that where you vacation also weighs in on your overall risk of skin cancer.

The study analyzed over 378 million UV dose records from the European Space Agency and melanoma skin cancer rates from the World Health Organization for 168 countries. Those seeking the safest beach vacation possible should look to destinations such as Poland, Albania, and Iceland, with the lowest combined average daily UV radiation levels and melanoma skin cancer rates. Meanwhile, other popular beach destinations in Peru, Australia, and Ecuador had the riskiest UV radiation levels. In the U.S., Alaska, Washington, and Maine are the safest states for beachgoers who want to protect themselves from the sun.

Read more